Published: Friday, 22nd August, 2008 12:30
Village pub closed after all-night party
By David O'Leary
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Cops have called time on a popular village pub.
Officers raided the Allen Ramsay Hotel in Carlops last Thursday morning just before 7.30am.
Neighbours had complained about an all-night party within the premises and
police arrived to find the manager along with family members enjoying a drink.
It now appears unlikely that the much-loved watering hole will open again soon - leaving the village without its only licensed premises.
Licensee David Kinnear was arrested and will now face criminal charges.
A police spokesperson said: “I can confirm that on Thursday 14 August police had reason to attend the Allen Ramsay Hotel in Carlops.
“As a result a 49-year-old man was cautioned and charged with a contravention of the Licensing Scotland Act 1976 and a report has been sent to the Procurator Fiscal.”
Mr Kinnear has managed the Allen Ramsay, with his wife Patricia, daughter Laura and son Scott, for over five and a half years.
But he was hoping to end his 10-year lease early after becoming disillusioned with the long hours.
And had found a replacement landlord to take over the popular hotel.
Over the past few months the Kinnears have taken legal steps to end their tenancy at the Allen Ramsay but owner Karl Swift has not made the process easy.
Mr Kinnear told the Peeblesshire News: “Over the years we have dealt with Karl’s father, Tony, in relation to the business and it was only when Karl took charge a number of months ago that we encountered difficulties.
“The last number of months has upset my wife and family greatly and we decided that enough was enough.
“We had a private family party to mark the end of our time at the hotel and the police were called due to a noise complaint from the residents above.
“This whole affair has left a very bad taste after what was a happy time running the hotel.”
Publican Derek Nimmel from Edinburgh has expressed an interest in taking over the license of the Carlops hostelry. He said: “I would take the hotel over tomorrow but I cannot contact the owner. It’s the hub of the community and has bags of potential.
“If given the chance I feel that we could make a success of it.”
The Peeblesshire News was unable to contact the hotel’s owner, Karl Swift.
But locals in Carlops hope to see the doors of their only pub open again soon.
Local resident Ann Smith said: “The Allen Ramsay is the centre of our community and everyone in the village hopes that it will open its doors again soon.”
Bob Jones has drank in the Allen Ramsay for over 25 years. He said: “This has ripped the heart out of the local community. The Kinnear’s have done nothing but good for this village and will be sorely missed by us locals.”
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